What do you do when you start dreading work but quitting is not an option? Whether you are experiencing conflict with co-workers, boredom from lackluster assignments or a sense of injustice from poor treatment by your boss, there are ways to make difficult times better. Here are a few ideas to help you move through job stress until the difficult times pass or you are in a position to seek a new job.
Remain Professional
Keeping a professional demeanor is difficult when your work situation is less than ideal, but making the effort to remain professional helps. Show up on time each day, and complete assignments promptly and to the best of your ability. Try your best to treat everyone courteously, even if everyone isn't courteous to you. Showing that you are a true professional might help you build bridges with others at your job and might eventually put an end to difficult times.
Watch Your Attitude
Maintain a positive attitude by attempting to see the good in all situations, as this makes difficult times easier to bear. For example, if your boss is angry every morning, don't assume that it has anything to do with you. Maybe he has personal problems or a frustrating work commute. Also, try to avoid talking about your job or colleagues negatively. Keeping a gratitude list can also help you see the positive in your life.
Face Issues Head On
If there is a particular situation causing your job stress, deal with it. Reach out to the people involved, and express your frustrations in a professional manner. If you did something wrong, apologize and ask the other party how you can make things better. If you are being treated poorly by someone else, let the person know how you feel. Most importantly, stand up for yourself. Don't take on work you can't handle, and insist on proper acknowledgement for work you do well.
Learn Something New
Sometimes, difficult times are simply caused by job boredom. Most things get tedious after a while. If you feel unchallenged at work, talk to your boss about training or advancement opportunities. Maybe you can learn some new tasks to mix up your responsibilities. If there is no way for you to branch out at your workplace, consider taking a class or obtaining an advanced degree. This might make you eligible for a more challenging position or help you move to a better job elsewhere in the future.
Regardless of the coping techniques you adopt, it is very important to find support when you are facing a difficult time at work. Talk to a sympathetic coworker who might understand your struggles, and check to see if your company has an employee assistance program that provides counseling to employees experiencing personal or work-related difficulties.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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